What makes this sound good?

...and this sound bad?

A simple ratio between the notes means they sound nice together.

Can you see the repeating pattern in the first one? Your ears can hear the simple ratio between these waves.

It turns out that when the waves line up in nice patterns, it sounds good!!! Our ears like it when the ratio between the waves are simple.

For example, three waves of note #1 for every two waves of note #2 is a 3:2 ratio. Now try it for yourself.

Which of these notes do you think will sound nice together?

Click each of the options to see the wave form.

How about these notes?

Again, which note do you think will sound good with this note. Hover over each of the options to see the wave form.